Hospital History

History Of Sacred Heart Hospital

article by AARON RITZ

Pensacola Hospital, now known as the historic Sacred Heart Hospital, opened in September of 1915 as the first Catholic hospital in Florida. The Daughters of Charity, a religious order dating back to 1633, invested over $400,000 into building and opening this facility. Evans Brothers Construction of Birmingham, Alabama took one year to build this late Gothic Revival building for the Daughters to provide the residents of Pensacola with better health care. The structure is both a medical and architectural landmark.

Before this hospital, Pensacola had only a scattering of local clinics in converted houses, and doctors would send patients with serious cases as far away as New Orleans for more complicated procedures. With this facility, Pensacola had the first surgical, radiological, bacterial, and therapeutic facilities in Florida.

Following the Daughters of Charity motto of "service to all", the third level of the east wing was dedicated entirely to the Creole and Colored population so that they could also receive hospital care. A.O. Von Herbulis, a native of Austria who immigrated to the United States, designed the hospital. Using the vocabulary of English Gothic architecture, with elements such as the Tudor arches on the ends, the stonework around the front entrance, and the embattlement at the parapet, Von Herbulis created a lasting monument to health care.

In 1948, following the original desire of Mother Margaret O'Keefe, Pensacola Hospital's name changed to Sacred Heart Hospital of Pensacola. In 1965, the hospital moved its operations to North Ninth Avenue. After the hospital left, a private school for Liberal Arts used the building from 1969 through 1978, but lack of maintenance forced the school to abandon the building. In 1980, Tower East Group, Inc. purchased the property to preserve the historic hospital for the future.

The public areas are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for touring. The building has several businesses and private office occupants as well. While you are visiting, make sure to sign the visitor register in the front office and let them know how you feel about historic preservation.

Tower East Group, Inc., a private enterprise owned by partners B. Neal Armstrong and Stephen F. Ritz, has been restoring and renovating the landmark since March of 1980. They succeeded in listing the site on the National Register of Historic Places on February 16, 1982. The owners, their families and friends, have dedicated many hours of their talents to return this local landmark to the people of Pensacola as a place to learn, shop, dine, and work.

Structurally, the building has received very few alterations in its history. The striking exterior stonework retains its Gothic appearance to this day, and other original architectural details, such as the elaborate oak entrance doors, remain. The enduring presence of this building in Pensacola honors the rich experiences of the people of the community who have created and shared the history of the original Sacred Heart Hospital. Please ask about the building in the front office, located at the main entrance on Twelfth Avenue.